Ancient rivalries between Kaitaia and Eastern in both netball and rugby were rekindled during a day of Golden Oldies sporting action at Taipa earlier this month.
Event spokesman Dave Jurlina noted the plan to reanimate the Golden Oldies concept turned out to be a fantastic day for spectators and players alike. In fine warm conditions on Sunday, June 21, the day began with the netball girls clashing on the Taipa Area School courts, with Eastern scoring more goals than Kaitaia. Thanks go to umpires Tesh, Anna, Rachael and Teina, with Jurlina noting the latter "never let his young age be intimidated by the "oldies".
"The rugby match saw both sides featuring some old faces, a bit greyer and rounder then when they were last seen on the fields but certainly just as competitive as in their former playing days," he said, adding Kaitaia scored more tries than Eastern in a match played in good spirits. Thanks also to referee Adrian Jones who did a fantastic job in keeping the players under control and let the game flow.
One comment from a netball player noted that the day was "hilarious ... especially the rugby", while one spectator later remarked, "I can tell you it looked pretty brutal in the forwards, there were a few sore bodies the next day I'm sure."
Also on the day's card was a junior rep rugby match, with the Mangonui Taniwha team playing the Bay of Islands Taniwha team in a dress rehearsal for the coming tournament (being held in Kerikeri from July 7-11 this year). The Bay won in a game about giving both sides an opportunity to try out combinations.
